Malaysia beefs up security in strait

Malaysia beefs up security in strait

MALAYSIA: Malaysia's newly created coast guard has launched
patrols in the Malacca Strait to boost security against piracy
and the threat of terrorism in the busy shipping lane, the
country's deputy leader said on Thursday.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency began its
surveillance on Wednesday with three vessels in the strait
between peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia's Sumatra island,
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters.

"It is the first time in history that we have a fully
integrated organization ... in terms of maritime security," Najib
said. "I'm confident it will be very much welcomed by our people
as well as by the international community, particularly in the
light of (security concerns in) the Straits of Malacca."

Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have promised to boost
cooperation to protect the narrow waterway, amid concern in
Washington and elsewhere that terrorists could hijack a ship and
use it as a weapon or launch attacks that could disrupt the
billions of dollars of trade that depend on the strait.

Authorities envision the new Malaysian agency will eventually
have 4,000 personnel operating with dozens of boats and aircraft.
Previously, various government departments separately enforced
maritime laws, conducted surveillance and coordinated rescue
operations.

The agency is based at Lumut Naval Base in northwestern
Malaysia. -- AP